I’ve always felt this too — that while religion has certainly been the cause of division and even casualties, it also creates a space where humans often do better with it than without it. As you say, the facts may vary from one faith to another, but the end game remains: find your community, resist extreme individualism, and live your life as if others depend on it too. Thank you for writing such a thoughtful and well-documented piece — it was a very interesting read.
It's certainly a paradox isn't it? We're capable of using it as a vehicle for extremism - but I can't name one culture that is solely based on the pursuit of more stuff and individual freedom that actually works for a majority of it's people.
I went to church once in December, for the first time ever. Alone, and for the same reason you said earlier, for music, calm, and space. Glad I did! I often find my journey in lockstep parallel with yours, virtually without any of the same experiences. How curious. Love to be along the ride with you!
Good article. I was all in on church every Sunday with my family until Covid when they shut down. Something about how quick they were to shut their doors left a bad taste in my mouth. They would tell us on Sunday to be strong in our faith as we go into the world, however, as soon as an unknown virus came they shuttered the church instantly.
I was still stuck going to work every day since somehow my job was considered essential and could not do work from home due to the nature of the business.
We don’t go to church anymore but I still long for the community, some of it. I’ve never really thought about some of the points you mentioned. I’ll give it some thought on returning on Sunday. Thank you
Very glad to have you here Bowtied! I think of you often.
We all made mistakes during COVID. History will not be gracious to us on that front - but we can be gracious to each other. We can only hope that we've learned whatever we needed to learn from it.
I admire you for being out there working during it all.
The 'agnostic' element of my argument leaves the door open for new communities that I hope are centred more and more around nature. You're fighting the good fight on that front. Dignified food and communal meals would be a great place to start.
I’ve always felt this too — that while religion has certainly been the cause of division and even casualties, it also creates a space where humans often do better with it than without it. As you say, the facts may vary from one faith to another, but the end game remains: find your community, resist extreme individualism, and live your life as if others depend on it too. Thank you for writing such a thoughtful and well-documented piece — it was a very interesting read.
It's certainly a paradox isn't it? We're capable of using it as a vehicle for extremism - but I can't name one culture that is solely based on the pursuit of more stuff and individual freedom that actually works for a majority of it's people.
The pursuit of more stuff, sadly so acurate.
Nicely said as always Matt! I'm back in SJ now, see you at Catapult
Thank you Marco! Welcome home. Looking forward to coffee and speaking about Japan.
I went to church once in December, for the first time ever. Alone, and for the same reason you said earlier, for music, calm, and space. Glad I did! I often find my journey in lockstep parallel with yours, virtually without any of the same experiences. How curious. Love to be along the ride with you!
Keegan, I can feel you on the path my brother! That's why we keep intersecting - and I sincerely hope we keep doing so.
Good article. I was all in on church every Sunday with my family until Covid when they shut down. Something about how quick they were to shut their doors left a bad taste in my mouth. They would tell us on Sunday to be strong in our faith as we go into the world, however, as soon as an unknown virus came they shuttered the church instantly.
I was still stuck going to work every day since somehow my job was considered essential and could not do work from home due to the nature of the business.
We don’t go to church anymore but I still long for the community, some of it. I’ve never really thought about some of the points you mentioned. I’ll give it some thought on returning on Sunday. Thank you
Very glad to have you here Bowtied! I think of you often.
We all made mistakes during COVID. History will not be gracious to us on that front - but we can be gracious to each other. We can only hope that we've learned whatever we needed to learn from it.
I admire you for being out there working during it all.
The 'agnostic' element of my argument leaves the door open for new communities that I hope are centred more and more around nature. You're fighting the good fight on that front. Dignified food and communal meals would be a great place to start.